How impressive is Carlos Lagrange at Yankees camp? Just ask Gerrit Cole

TAMPA, Fla. – Between his two simulated innings, Friday, Gerrit Cole watched young Carlos Lagrange pitch with a touch of awe.

On the Steinbrenner Field scoreboard, Lagrange’s fastball routinely registered 101-mph and touched 102-mph.

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“It’s silly. Never seen anything like it,’’ the Yankees ace said of being “just blown away’’ watching Lagrange reach that velocity with seemingly ordinary effort during live batting practice.

“He’s young, OK, I get that. First big-league camp, I get that,’’ Cole said in rationalizing how the 6-foot-7, 248-pound right-hander is dialing it up this early.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone and his coaches are watching behind a mound screen, he’s facing big-league hitters, but “there’s not runners on second and third, two outs’’ in an actual game setting, where the adrenaline really kicks in.

“It looks relatively, I guess, easy for the amount of 101s I’ve seen in a row,’’ said Cole. “I think I’ve hit 101 (mph) in my career probably less than 10 times and I’ve seen him do it every single time.

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“It’s crazy.’’

Gerrit Cole’s ahead-of-pace look

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Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a bullpen session during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48), right fielder Aaron Judge (99) an teammates workout during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees infielder Amed Rosario (14) takes a break during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera (95) prepares for a drill during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) prepares for a drill during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankee fans watch batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees fans during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees players take batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) talks with outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

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Yankees spring training 2026 photos from Tampa

Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) prepares for batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

It’s not crazy to think Lagrange, 22, could impact the Yanks as a starter or reliever at some point this season.

And it’s easier to believe that Cole – almost exactly a year removed from Tommy John surgery – can quickly achieve his high-level form once he returns.

Outside of his sharp stuff, Boone has been impressed by “the command and control’’ Cole has displayed in three sessions against live batters.

Could that mean an accelerated return to the 2026 rotation?

“I think the reality is, where he’s at physically and what it looks like, it could – in theory – be earlier,’’ said Boone, who quickly mentioned being true to the rehab schedule.

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“He threw zero innings last year. We want to be mindful of that too,’’ said Boone. “In a perfect world, we’re playing in October and he’s still got a lot left.’’

Carlos Lagrange: It’s special to be around these guys

After his 30-pitch effort Friday, Cole – pitching out of his new, overhead windup – felt pleased with his tempo and accuracy.

“Kind of reinforced how important your lower half is for command,’’ said Cole, adding that “there’s no thoughts about the elbow anymore,’’ putting the focus where it should be – making a good pitch.

“A clear mind and a disciplined lower half, so far, has put me in a position to make good pitches.’’

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And between his three simulated innings, Lagrange watched Cole with equally wide eyes.

“He’s a legend, a Cy Young winner,’’ said Lagrange. “So, when you see him go through his comeback after his injury, and he looks ready, trouble is coming.’’

In this camp, Lagrange has already talked pitching execution with Cole and Carlos Rodon, discussed fielding his position with Gold Glove award winner Max Fried and engaged Ryan Weathers about how to develop consistency with the changeup.

“It’s very special to be around these guys,’’ said Lagrange, who does push back on the effortless velocity thing.

“It might look easy,’’ said Lagrange, speaking on-and-off with the aid of an interpreter. “In reality, it’s not easy to do.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Carlos Lagrange impressing Yankees, and Gerrit Cole, at camp